It appears you have not yet registered with our community. To register please click here...


 Home Message Boards Videos Join for Free User Blogs Board Index
Search
 
Forgot your username or password?


ADD / ADHD Message Board
Post New Thread   Closed Thread
Share
 
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 06-18-2004, 12:38 AM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 73
Hugs: 0
Hugged 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Fur-ball HB User
is your ADD a secret?? who do you tell?

Who do you tell about your ADD? friends? family? ARe you embarrassed by it?

I was recently officially diagnosed with ADD and for me I want to keep it a secret from most family and friends. Even though ADD is not a physical health problem or even a negative one, there is alot of bad stigma IMO that is associated with it. People are so easy to label and judge. It took me a long time to fully understand what attention deficit disorder was, and I do not plan on explaining it to everyone I tell. I have to admit I would be embarrassed to announce it to fellow classmate (I am a Engineering student) at school that I have this disorder. Possibly, It could be that it has just recently become official and I need to accept it more, but I have a feeling that my opinion will not change with time.

I am really curious about other people with ADD, and how open they are with it.

Thanks,
Ocean

 
Sponsors Lightbulb
   
Old 06-18-2004, 09:37 AM   #2
Senior Member
(female)
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 158
Hugs: 2
Hugged 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Vintage Wine HB User
Smile Re: is your ADD a secret?? who do you tell?

There's no reason to be ashamed of having ADD - it's an official disorder of the brain that one is born with. You didn't choose it, you didn't ask for it and you didn't bring it on yourself. To not treat it is foolish. However, one must use discretion when discussing it, that's for sure! I was diagnosed 4 years ago and made the mistake of telling a family member who later, used it against me and belittled me to "taking speed". I never told an employer until just recently and I have benefited from disclosing it. The employer was very understanding and supportive.

That's up to the individual, though. In some cases, it's best to tell the employer, in other cases, it's not. It depends on the work scenario and dynamics of the workplace.

Another possible downside to telling people, is that frankly, they may try to steal your amphetamines if they know you have them! Or they are suddenly "experts" on the field of learning disabilities and psychiatry and bombard you with their opinion.

I have literally hidden my meds when certain people are around or go in the restroom to take my dose so no one was start with the questions. "What is that? Why are you taking it? ADD? Adults aren't ADD! That's just an excuse for laziness!" (Yes, someone actually said that to me!)

So, just remember. Discretion is the better part of valor! Be careful whom you tell. Make sure it's someone that's trustworthy.

 
Old 06-18-2004, 01:19 PM   #3
Senior Member
(male)
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 121
Hugs: 0
Hugged 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
sodawater HB User
Re: is your ADD a secret?? who do you tell?

I agree - its nothing to be ashamed of, and I have had good experiences with telling teachers and bosses, but you can't always control how people will receive the disclosure. Feel people out and make sure you're comfortable with them first.

1 small thing, not meant to take this thread off-course: not everyone believes ADD is something you are born with. See Gabor Mate's book Scattered.
__________________
*sodawater*

 
Old 06-19-2004, 10:37 AM   #4
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 73
Hugs: 0
Hugged 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Fur-ball HB User
Re: is your ADD a secret?? who do you tell?

Thank-you for taking time to respond

Quote:
To not treat it is foolish.
I did not state if I was treating myself or not. Just because I do not wish to announce it to the world, has absolutely nothing related to whether I have treated myself.


Quote:
Another possible downside to telling people, is that frankly, they may try to steal your amphetamines if they know you have them!
Really? How would your co-worker even know if you medicate yourself? Just because you have ADD does not mean you are medicating yourself. I do not medicate myself, but I do seek other alternates methods with coping with my ADD that my doctor has helped me with that is non-drug related.

OCean

Last edited by Fur-ball; 06-19-2004 at 10:38 AM.

 
Old 06-20-2004, 12:04 PM   #5
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 11
Hugs: 0
Hugged 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Bmwilliams210 HB User
Re: is your ADD a secret?? who do you tell?

I don't feel that friends need to know because ADD is not a physical defect. If I had noticable problems, then yes, I would.

 
Closed Thread

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Board Replies Last Post
being kept a secret boyfriend's ex wife and kid colleen96 Relationship Health 5 01-09-2009 02:55 PM
Should I tell her I know her secret? Friend999 Addiction & Recovery 6 05-03-2008 06:01 PM
Don't keep BP a secret!! jon12 Bipolar Disorder 12 07-24-2007 05:42 PM
Dirty little secret..... idared04 Relationship Health 42 08-14-2006 02:21 AM
Just found out his little secret....what to do. NancyTwoShoes Relationship Health 23 02-18-2006 09:50 PM
Female intuition? secret fantasys MOONCHILD63 Sexual Health - Women 1 08-09-2005 12:21 PM
why do i keep it a secret and why cant i trust? DonkeyGoBoom Depression 2 06-14-2005 01:25 PM
Got a secret lisalynn Eating Disorder Recovery 6 02-18-2005 10:09 PM
my bf has a secret... cocobee Sexual Health - General 11 01-17-2005 05:16 PM




Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off









Top 10 Drugs Discussed on this Board.
(Go to DrugTalk.com for complete list)
Adderall
Amphetamine
Concerta
Metadate
Methylphenidate
  Prozac
Ritalin
Strattera
Wellbutrin
Zoloft


Message Boards
  • Open to All Other Health Topics
  • It's Life - Off Topic Discussions
  • Natural Disaster Sympathies and Support
  • Health News
  • HealthBoards Testimonials
  • Suggestions for New Boards
  • Registration/Membership/Site Problems
  • Health Issues
  • General Health
  • Abuse Support
  • Acid Reflux / GERD
  • Acne
  • Share Your Acne Story
  • Acne Tips
  • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
  • ADD / ADHD
  • Addiction & Recovery
  • Addison's Disease
  • Aging Issues
  • Allergies
  • Alternative Medicine
  • Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia
  • Amputation / Prosthetic
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Anemia
  • Aneurysm
  • Anger Management
  • Angina
  • Anxiety
  • Share Your Anxiety Story
  • Anxiety Tips
  • Arthritis
  • Asperger's Syndrome
  • Asthma
  • Autism Spectrum
  • Autoimmune Disorders
  • Back Problems
  • Beauty & Cosmetics
  • Bell's Palsy
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Birth Control
  • Blood and Blood Vessel
  • Bone Disorders
  • Bowel Disorders
  • Brain & Head Injury
  • Brain & Nervous System Disorders
  • Brain Tumors
  • Breastfeeding
  • Burns & Injuries
  • Cancer
  • Cancer: Bladder
  • Cancer: Bone
  • Cancer: Brain
  • Cancer: Breast
  • Cancer: Cervical & Ovarian
  • Cancer: Colon
  • Cancer: Esophageal
  • Cancer: Kidney
  • Cancer: Lung
  • Cancer: Oral
  • Cancer: Pancreatic & Liver
  • Cancer: Prostate
  • Cancer: Rectal & Anal
  • Cancer: Skin
  • Cancer: Stomach
  • Cancer: Testicular
  • Cancer: Throat
  • Cancer: Thyroid
  • Cancer: Uterine
  • Candida
  • Caregivers
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Celiac Disease
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Children - Special Needs
  • Children's Health
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Codependency
  • Colds & Flu
  • Swine Flu (H1N1)
  • Cosmetic / Plastic Surgery
  • Costochondritis
  • Crohn's Disease / Ulcerative Colitis
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Death & Dying
  • Degenerative Diseases
  • Dental Health
  • Depression
  • Share Your Depression Story
  • Depression Tips
  • Diabetes
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Diet & Nutrition
  • Digestive Disorders
  • Disabilities
  • Divorce & Separation
  • Dizziness / Vertigo
  • Down Syndrome
  • Drug Interactions
  • Dyslexia
  • Dysphagia
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Eating Disorder Recovery
  • Endocrine Disorders
  • Endometriosis
  • Environmental Disorders
  • Epilepsy
  • Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)
  • Exercise & Fitness
  • Eye & Vision
  • Family & Friends of Cancer Patients
  • Family & Friends of the Mentally Ill
  • Family Planning / Adoption
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Foot Problems
  • Gallbladder
  • Genetic Disorders
  • Grief & Loss
  • Hair Loss / Alopecia
  • Hair Problems
  • Headaches & Migraines
  • Health Insurance Issues
  • Healthcare Professionals
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Hearing Disorders
  • Heart Disorders
  • Hepatitis
  • Hernia
  • Herpes
  • High & Low Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • HIV Prevention
  • HIV/AIDS Living With
  • Hormone Problems
  • Hospice
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Hypochondria
  • Hysterectomy
  • Immune Disorders
  • Incontinence
  • Infant Care (up to 18 months old)
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Infertility
  • Share Your Infertility Story
  • Inner Ear Disorders
  • Interstitial Cystitis (IC)
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Kidney Disorders
  • Knee & Hip Problems
  • Lasik Eye Surgery
  • Learning Disorders
  • Leukemia
  • Liver & Pancreas Disorders
  • Lung & Respiratory Disorders / COPD
  • Lupus
  • Lyme Disease
  • Share Your Lyme Disease Story
  • Lymphedema
  • Lymphomas
  • Men's Health
  • Menopause
  • Mental Health
  • Mesothelioma
  • Military Health Issues
  • Miscarriage & Still Birth
  • Mononucleosis
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Myositis
  • Nail Problems
  • Neurofibromatosis
  • Neurology
  • Neuromuscular Diseases
  • Neuropathy
  • Nutritional Disorders
  • Obesity
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Occupational Health & Safety
  • Orthopedic
  • Osteoporosis
  • Pain Management
  • Chronic Pain
  • Share Your Pain Management Story
  • Panic Disorders
  • Paralysis
  • Parenting Issues
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Personality Disorder
  • Phobias
  • Pituitary Disease
  • Polio
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Postpartum Depression (PPD)
  • Pregnancy
  • Share Your Pregnancy Story
  • Pregnancy Tips
  • 2010 Mommies
  • 2011 Mommies
  • Pregnancy-Teen
  • Prostatitis
  • Psoriasis
  • Rape / Sexual Abuse
  • Rare Disorders
  • Raynaud's Syndrome
  • Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
  • Relationship Health
  • Restless Leg Syndrome
  • Rosacea
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Schizophrenia
  • Scoliosis
  • Self-injury Recovery
  • Senior Health
  • Sexual Dysfunction Treatment
  • Sexual Health - General
  • Sexual Health - Men
  • Sexual Health - Teens
  • Sexual Health - Women
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases
  • Shingles
  • Shoulder / Rotator Cuff Problems
  • Shyness
  • Sickle Cell Anemia
  • Sinus Problems
  • Sjögren's Syndrome
  • Skin Problems
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Speech & Language Disorders
  • Spinal Cord Disorders
  • Stress
  • Stroke
  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
  • Teen Health
  • Thyroid Disorders
  • TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint
  • Tourette Syndrome
  • Transplants
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Trying to Conceive (TTC)
  • Urology
  • Vaccination & Immunization
  • Vitamins & Supplements
  • Weight Loss
  • Weight Loss / Surgical
  • West Nile Virus
  • Women's Health



  • TOP THANKED CONTRIBUTORS

    ADD / ADHD

    janewhite1 (77), addprogrammer (71), Thunor (39), marisuela (12), aaron704 (10), stressless37 (9), iluv (8), CharBerry (6), Administrator (6), specialedteach (3)

    Site Wide Totals

    thanbey (581), janewhite1 (526), BlueSkies14 (511), SpineAZ (483), DGabriel10 (462), mscat40 (419), tetonteri66 (418), jennybyc (399), sammy64 (388), jgrangran (357)

    All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:04 PM.



    Site owned and operated by HealthBoards.com™
    Copyright and Terms of Use © 1998-2012 HealthBoards.com™ All rights reserved.
    Do not copy or redistribute in any form!


    SEO by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.